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Pentax WG-3 vs Pentax X-5

Portability
90
Imaging
40
Features
44
Overall
41
Pentax WG-3 front
 
Pentax X-5 front
Portability
65
Imaging
39
Features
50
Overall
43

Pentax WG-3 vs Pentax X-5 Key Specs

Pentax WG-3
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 125 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-100mm (F2.0-4.9) lens
  • 230g - 124 x 64 x 33mm
  • Released July 2013
Pentax X-5
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 22-580mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 595g - 119 x 86 x 107mm
  • Released August 2012
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Pentax WG-3 vs Pentax X-5 Overview

On this page, we are analyzing the Pentax WG-3 versus Pentax X-5, one is a Waterproof and the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom and both of them are manufactured by Pentax. The sensor resolution of the WG-3 (16MP) and the X-5 (16MP) is fairly similar and both cameras offer the same sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The WG-3 was released 12 months after the X-5 so they are of a similar generation. Both of these cameras have different body design with the Pentax WG-3 being a Compact camera and the Pentax X-5 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before we go into a detailed comparison, here is a short view of how the WG-3 scores versus the X-5 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Pentax WG-3 over the Pentax X-5

 WG-3 X-5 
ReleasedJuly 2013August 2012More modern by 12 months

Reasons to pick Pentax X-5 over the Pentax WG-3

 X-5 WG-3 
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display

Common features in the Pentax WG-3 and Pentax X-5

 WG-3 X-5 
Focus manually More accurate focusing
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display measurements
Display resolution460k460kIdentical display resolution
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch display Neither features Touch display

Pentax WG-3 vs Pentax X-5 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is aiming to carry around your camera, you should take into account its weight and measurements. The Pentax WG-3 enjoys external measurements of 124mm x 64mm x 33mm (4.9" x 2.5" x 1.3") and a weight of 230 grams (0.51 lbs) and the Pentax X-5 has proportions of 119mm x 86mm x 107mm (4.7" x 3.4" x 4.2") along with a weight of 595 grams (1.31 lbs).

Check out the Pentax WG-3 versus Pentax X-5 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you are utilising at that time. Below is a front view physical size comparison of the WG-3 compared to the X-5.

Pentax WG-3 vs Pentax X-5 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the WG-3 and X-5 is 90 and 65 respectively.

Pentax WG-3 vs Pentax X-5 top view buttons comparison

Pentax WG-3 vs Pentax X-5 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it's difficult to envision the difference between sensor sizes simply by going over specifications. The pic underneath should provide you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the WG-3 and X-5.

Plainly, each of these cameras have the same sensor dimensions and the same exact megapixels so you should expect similar quality of images though you have to consider the production date of the products into consideration. The more recent WG-3 will have an edge when it comes to sensor innovation.

Pentax WG-3 vs Pentax X-5 sensor size comparison

Pentax WG-3 vs Pentax X-5 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax WG-3 vs Pentax X-5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax WG-3 Portrait photography features
Pentax X-5 Portrait photography features
41
has manual focus
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
features face detection autofocus
no manual exposure
no external flash support
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
43
you can focus manually
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
supports face detect focusing
cannot use external flash
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Pentax WG-3
Street photography with Pentax X-5
61
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
weather proof
screen does not articulate
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
50
screen tilts
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
more heavy than others (595g)
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Sports Comparison

Pentax WG-3 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax X-5 as a Sports photography camera
45
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count good (16MP)
features tracking autofocus
weather proof
no shutter priority mode
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
not so great battery life (240 shots)
lacks phase detect autofocus
52
incredible zoom range (22-580mm 26.4 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
supports tracking focus
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Pentax WG-3 Travel photography features
Pentax X-5 Travel photography features
72
weather proof
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
quite wide (25mm)
great max aperture (f2.0)
not so great battery life (240 CIPA)
does not posses selfie friendly display
53
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
has built in flash
pretty wide (22mm)
long reach (580mm)
missing Timelapse mode
more heavy than others (595g)
screen is not selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax WG-3 Landscape photography advice
Pentax X-5 Landscape photography advice
54
has manual focus
quite wide (25mm)
great max aperture (f2.0)
screen size is good (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
weather proof
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
no manual exposure
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
not so great battery life (240 CIPA)
47
you can focus manually
pretty wide (22mm)
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
missing Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax WG-3 Vlogging information
Pentax X-5 Vlogging information
36
quite wide (25mm)
great max aperture (f2.0)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
features face detection autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
does not posses selfie friendly display
doesn't have external mic support
26
pretty wide (22mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports face detect focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen is not selfie friendly
missing microphone jack
more heavy than others (595g)
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Pentax WG-3 vs Pentax X-5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax WG-3 and Pentax X-5
 Pentax WG-3Pentax X-5
General Information
Make Pentax Pentax
Model type Pentax WG-3 Pentax X-5
Category Waterproof Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 2013-07-19 2012-08-22
Body design Compact SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Sensor type BSI-CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 16MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 6400 6400
Minimum native ISO 125 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-100mm (4.0x) 22-580mm (26.4x)
Highest aperture f/2.0-4.9 f/3.1-5.9
Macro focusing distance 1cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.9
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Tilting
Screen size 3" 3"
Screen resolution 460k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen tech Widescreen TFT color LCD with anti-reflective coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 230k dot
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4 seconds 4 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/1500 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 10.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 3.40 m 9.10 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft -
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 230 grams (0.51 pounds) 595 grams (1.31 pounds)
Physical dimensions 124 x 64 x 33mm (4.9" x 2.5" x 1.3") 119 x 86 x 107mm (4.7" x 3.4" x 4.2")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 240 pictures 330 pictures
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID D-LI92 4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC card, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots Single Single
Cost at launch $300 $230